WOMEN AND WAR

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 251, 31 July 1940, Page 2

WOMEN AND WAR

THE INSTITUTE, CONFERENCE.

ASHBURTON DELEGATES REPORT

A report dealing with the annual conference of the Representative Dominion Council of Women’s Institutes, which was held at Wlellington, was presented to the executive of the Ashburton Federation this afternoon by Mrs F. Curtis, delegate to the conference. The conference was opened by Lady Galway. “To-day, in this time of war,” she said, “an opportunity above all others presents itself to members to illustrate the meaning of the aims and •

objects of the Women’s Institute and what the work stands for. The war might spread further, but however unpleasant it becomes there can he one end, and that thought sustained every British subject.” Her Excellency paid a tribute to the patriotic work the Institutes were doing.

The president (Miss A. Kane) stated that the organisation had started 16 years ago. To-day it had 30,000 members and 900 branches. She stressed the support women were giving to,the plan to increase production. As Mrs Kelso (the Dominion organiser) had resigned, Mrs W. Dean (a South Island delegate) proposed that a number of voluntary organisers be appointed to visit particularly .federation executives and branches. These organisers could also conduct officers’ schools in suitable districts. The proposals were approved. An address was given by the Secretary of the National Patriotic Fund Board. He appealed for an immediate drive for rabbit and iamb skins for mitten gloves for men on the minesweepers in the North Sea. Two Patriotic Grants. • A proposal to devote Pool Money amounting to about £BOO to the purchase of an ambulance was dropped when the secretary of the Patriotic Fund Board explained that the Sick, Wounded and Distress Fund, together with other promises, could meet all ambulance requirements. It was decided to donate the sum to the General War Purposes Fund. An endowment fund of £SOO was loaned to the Government free of interest for the war effort for the duration and six months after. It was stated that through the Women’s Auxiliary War Services Committee members would be informed of the work the Government required women to do. A recommendation was made by Auckland “That members receive into their homes for the holidays the children of soldiers, sailors and airmen serving overseas, who owing to the absence of their fathers cannot have ~their holidays away from home, and that if nedessary the invitation to be extended to mothers of such children also.” This met with general approval and steps will be taken to carry it out. It was decided to recommend to tho Government that Hospital Boards in many country districts should provide an annexe as a waiting-home for expectant mothers Professor Hunter, of Victoria University College,. spoke on adult education, stressing its importance. Miss A. Kane was re-elected president. Although nominated for election to the Dominion Council Mrs Curtis withdrew her nomination as it would have been necessary to attend meetings every two months at Wellington. Of six elected there was one delegate from the South I'.land, Mrs W. Deans.